Youth in Agriculture: Reviving Interest in Rural Farming
Once seen as outdated and unprofitable, farming in rural Bangladesh is experiencing a quiet revolution and it’s being led by the youth. From mobile apps that connect farmers to buyers to agripreneurs launching vertical farms, rural agriculture is being redefined by a generation not afraid to combine tradition with technology.
But why is this shift happening now?
In a country where more than 60% of the population is under 35, and nearly 40% of youth are unemployed or underemployed, the agricultural sector offers untapped potential not just to feed the nation but to fuel economic transformation.
Yet agriculture faces stigma among youth, perceived as low-income, backbreaking labor. What’s changing this perception is agripreneurship, agricultural innovation, and startup incubation programs that are unlocking new pathways for youth to lead in sustainable, high-tech farming.
Why Engagement of Youth in Agriculture Matters
In Bangladesh, agriculture is not just a livelihood it’s a lifeline, supporting over 40% of the national workforce and contributing 11.2% to the GDP. Yet, the sector stands at a critical crossroad. With more than 70% of farmers aged over 50 and youth steadily migrating to cities, the country’s ability to sustainably feed its growing population is under pressure.
If this generational gap isn’t bridged, the consequences will be far-reaching:
- Food security will weaken as fewer hands remain on the land.
- Rural economies will shrink, deepening inequality.
- Sustainable farming knowledge will disappear without fresh custodians.
But here’s the good news: Bangladesh has one of the youngest populations in South Asia, with over 60% under the age of 35. This youthful energy is exactly what agriculture needs to be reimagined and revitalized.
The Upside: What Youth Bring to Agriculture
Innovation and Fresh Thinking
Young farmers bring new ideas, unafraid to question outdated practices. They’re experimenting with agroecology, zero-budget farming, and smart logistics changing how agriculture works from the soil up.
Technology as a Tool, Not a Barrier
From mobile apps that connect with buyers (like iFarmer, WeGro) to IoT-based irrigation, youth are embracing digital tools to boost efficiency and profits.
A single solar-powered irrigation pump can save over 10,000 liters of water per hectare a solution young farmers are quick to adopt.
Farming as a Scalable Enterprise
Unlike older generations focused on survival farming, today’s youth see agriculture as a business opportunity. They’re building value chains, branding their products, and selling directly to urban consumers through social media and e-commerce.
Sustainability is Non-Negotiable
Today’s youth are more environmentally conscious. They’re more likely to practice organic farming, crop rotation, and natural pest control aligning with both climate goals and consumer demand.
Agripreneurship: Farming as a Startup, Not a Struggle
Farming is no longer about waiting on rainfall and selling at the nearest haat. For today’s youth, agripreneurship is a revolution a way to reimagine farming as a fast-moving, tech-enabled, and scalable business.
Unlike traditional farmers who often operate in isolation, youth agripreneurs think systemically creating entire mini-ecosystems that combine innovation, branding, and inclusive growth.
What Youth Agripreneurs Are Doing Differently
1. Cultivating High-Value, Niche Crops
Youth are moving away from low-margin, conventional crops. Instead, they’re growing:
- Dragon fruit, now thriving in Jashore and Dinajpur
- Organic turmeric, increasingly in demand from health-conscious urban buyers
- Hydroponic greens, farmed without soil in Sylhet and Dhaka rooftops
These crops fetch 3–4x higher prices and allow for multiple harvests per year, offering both profit and sustainability.
2. Using Smart Tools to Farm Smarter
From remote climate trackers to e-extension apps like Sofol and Amanot, youth are embracing data and automation:
- Tracking rainfall, pests, and crop health via smartphones
- Taking online agribusiness courses to upgrade skills
- Using satellite-based soil analytics before sowing
This digital-first approach improves yield, reduces waste, and helps manage risks especially in a climate-vulnerable country like Bangladesh.
3. Building Brands and Selling Direct
Instead of selling anonymously to wholesalers, youth are branding their products and reaching consumers directly through:
- Facebook shops (e.g., “Fresh from My Farm”)
- Instagram pages promoting organic, local produce
- E-commerce partners like Khaas Food or Othoba
These digital storefronts not only offer better prices but also build trust something urban buyers crave in food sourcing.
4. Creating Cooperative, Scalable Models
Youth agripreneurs are leading contract farming initiatives, where they partner with smallholders to grow on leased or shared land. They manage the tech, branding, and logistics, while empowering others.
In Chuadanga, one youth-led startup linked 17 smallholder farmers under a single brand to supply organic vegetables to Dhaka. They provided inputs, quality checks, and market access sharing profits fairly.
According to UNDP Bangladesh, each youth-led agribusiness when supported with funding, training, and market access can create 2–3 direct jobs and impact up to 10 livelihoods through ripple effects.
That’s how rural areas transform from migration zones into innovation hubs.
Agripreneurship isn’t just a trend it’s a lifeline for future-proofing rural Bangladesh. With innovation, passion, and the right ecosystem, today’s youth are proving that farming isn’t a fallback it’s a fast track to impact.
Innovation on the Fields: Where Tech Meets Soil
Youth-driven innovation is turning agriculture from a traditional occupation into a dynamic, tech-forward industry.
Emerging Technologies Adopted by Young Farmers
| Innovation | Impact |
| 📱 Mobile apps (e.g. iFarmer, WeGro) | Enable access to credit, inputs, and market pricing |
| 📶 IoT for smart irrigation | Reduces water use and labor costs |
| 🌿 Biofloc aquaculture | Allows fish farming in small urban areas |
| 🛰️ Satellite crop monitoring | Tracks health and yield remotely |
| 🧪 Organic fertilizers & nano-urea | Cuts input cost and improves soil health |
Incubators & Accelerators Empowering Agripreneurs
Several platforms are nurturing youth-led startups through mentorship, funding, and training.
Key Incubators & Programs in Bangladesh
- Orange Corners Bangladesh – Helps youth scale agribusiness ideas through funding and capacity building.
- B’YEAH (Bangladesh Youth Enterprise Advice & Helpcenter) – Supports rural youth entrepreneurs with business mentoring.
- UNDP Youth Co:Lab – Fosters inclusive innovation for young people solving real-world problems.
- Amanot App & Sofol Platform – Developed to connect smallholder farmers with digital advisory services.
“Before joining the iFarmer platform, I sold my vegetables locally for poor prices. Now, I reach Dhaka buyers directly,” says Shakib, a 27-year-old agripreneur from Bogura.
Challenges Youth Face in Agriculture
Despite growing energy and innovation among Bangladesh’s youth, stepping into agriculture is often like climbing a steep hill with no map. These young changemakers face systemic hurdles that limit their potential before they even sow the first seed.
1. Limited Access to Finance
One of the biggest barriers is credit. Traditional banks often view youth especially those without land or collateral as high-risk borrowers. A 2022 study by IFPRI found that only 12% of young agripreneurs in South Asia had access to formal loans. Without financing, purchasing quality inputs, equipment, or even starting small-scale farming becomes near impossible.
“I had the land and the idea, but no one wanted to back me financially,” said Jamil, a 24-year-old organic grower in Jashore.
2. Skill Gaps and Outdated Education
Rural schools and agricultural colleges often focus on theory rather than practice. Key areas like agribusiness management, digital marketing, or climate-smart agriculture are missing. As a result, many youth enter farming unprepared for today’s competitive and tech-driven environment.
- Only 8% of youth in rural Bangladesh have received any formal vocational training in agriculture (ILO, 2021).
3. Policy Disconnect and Lack of Voice
Youth often remain absent from policy dialogues, cooperative boards, and farmers’ associations. Their ideas, despite being forward-thinking, rarely reach decision-makers. Agricultural policies are frequently made for youth, but not with them.
“There are too many people talking about us. What we need is a seat at the table,” says Amina, a 26-year-old poultry agripreneur from Barisal.
4. Infrastructure and Technology Gaps
Access to post-harvest infrastructure like cold storage, transport, or agri-tech labs is limited in most rural areas. Furthermore, internet connectivity and mobile-based extension services often skip remote zones, cutting off youth from digital tools and agri-markets.
- A recent BRAC report noted that 68% of rural youth lacked stable internet access hindering their ability to join e-commerce platforms or learn online.
Solutions to Re-engage Youth in Rural Agriculture
Turning challenges into opportunities will require a multi-pronged, youth-centered strategy:
1. Expand Access to Microfinance and Youth Agri-Credit
Tailored loan products, interest subsidies, and risk-sharing facilities should be introduced for first-time youth agripreneurs. Mobile-based fintech platforms like WeGro and iFarmer already show how digital onboarding can reduce barriers.
2. Embed Agribusiness and Innovation into Education
Curriculums should include entrepreneurship, digital agriculture, and climate-resilient practices. Practical training modules, field internships, and rural incubator partnerships (like Orange Corners BD) must be expanded.
3. Introduce Policy Incentives for Youth-Led Farms
Policies should provide land access schemes, tax breaks, and grants for agri-startups run by youth especially women. Dedicated seats for youth in agriculture policy forums would ensure their voices shape the future.
4. Invest in Rural ICT & Agri Infrastructure
Improving rural Wi-Fi zones, creating community e-agriculture centers, and expanding cold chains and logistics hubs would enable youth to scale sustainably. Tech access must be viewed as a right, not a luxury.
5. Support Youth Cooperatives & Digital Literacy
Youth cooperatives offer a low-risk way to pool resources, share equipment, and reach larger markets. Pairing this with digital marketing training, e-commerce partnerships, and brand-building can turn small farms into profitable agri-enterprises.
A Generation Ready to Grow
Youth are not abandoning agriculture they are reinventing it.
With the right tools, training, and trust, young Bangladeshis can turn farms into startups, villages into innovation hubs, and the agri-sector into a driver of inclusive growth.
Want to support youth-led agri innovation?
Partner with us at EcoNature BD and let’s sow the seeds of a thriving, sustainable future together.
FAQs
Q1: What is agripreneurship?
Agripreneurship is the process of applying entrepreneurial principles to agriculture launching value-added farming businesses with innovation and market focus.
Q2: Why are youth not interested in farming?
Due to low income, lack of modern training, and limited role models, farming is often seen as “unskilled” labor. But this is changing through innovation and support.
Q3: What startups are helping youth in agriculture?
Platforms like iFarmer, WeGro, Sofol, and Agronochain are connecting youth with finance, training, and supply chain tools.
Q4: Can tech really change farming for rural youth?
Yes! Mobile apps, hydroponics, digital marketing, and IoT irrigation are making farming profitable, climate-resilient, and youth-friendly.
Q5: How does EcoNature BD support youth in agriculture?
EcoNature BD offers training, project support, storytelling, and policy advocacy to uplift youth-led agri-enterprises across Bangladesh.
